Distributed energy system edge unit

ABSTRACT

In accordance with aspects of the present invention a distributed energy system edge unit is presented. An edge unit includes a power grid interface; one or more device interfaces; a processing unit coupled to the power grid interface and the one or more device interfaces, the processing unit including a communication state that allows communications with an external entity; a control and monitor state that communicates with the communication state; a check unit state that communicates with the control and monitor state and provides a unit state data; wherein the control and monitor state and the communication state provide an instruction data set, current operating parameters according to the unit state data, the instruction set data, and a characterization parameter data, and wherein the control and monitor state provides control signals to the power grid interface and the one or more device interfaces.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/791,420, filed on Jul. 4, 2015, entitled “Renewable EnergyIntegrated Storage and Generation Systems, Apparatus, and Methods withCloud Distributed Energy Management Services,” by Dean Sanders and StuStatman, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments generally related to systems and methods for DistributedEnergy Systems and, in particular, to an individual edge unit that canbe used in a distributed energy system.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

There exists a number of site specific energy generation and back-upsystems, often associated with individual commercial, residential sites,or field locations in current use or which are being developed for use.There exist several technologies that can produce electricity at aparticular location. Such technologies include, for example,photovoltaic panels (e.g., solar panels); small scale natural gasturbines (also known as micro-turbines); small-scale wind turbines (incontrast to the large turbines used in grid connected wind farms); lowpressure water turbines; high-pressure low flow water turbines; fuelcells using hydrogen, natural gas, and potentially other hydrocarbons;geothermal sources; energy scavenging devices; or conventional diesel,natural gas, gasoline, or other hydrocarbon generators. Thesetechnologies, used on residential, commercial, or other sites, can bereferred to as “distributed energy sources.” Distributed energy sourceshave been deployed only to a very limited extent for reasons of cost,convenience, and a lack of harmonized grid inter-connection standards.Historically, power storage and supply devices typically involve thecharging of batteries that store energy in the event of a power failureof a main source of electricity at a particular site. Typically, themain source of power for a particular site is a utility power gridconnected to the site (e.g. home or business), which is often designedto support the entire or selected electrical load required by aparticular site. As a result, residential and commercial power storageand supply devices may be large and cumbersome. In some cases, the powerstorage and supply devices store the electric power produced by analternative energy source and may even supply power to a utility powergrid, in essence operating as a small, distributed power generationplant.

Such distributed power systems often provide back-up power for theestablished electrical grid to which it is attached and may includecombinations of energy storage and energy generation. As discussedabove, energy generation can include fueled generators (e.g., diesel,gasoline, natural gas, hydrogen, or generators using other fuels) aswell as renewable (e.g., solar, wind, water, etc.). Storage can includebattery storage from any available battery technology or other forms ofmechanical storage (e.g., pumping of water to later be used in a waterdriven turbine). These distributed power systems may also receive andstore power from the grid itself. Distributed power systems coupled tothe power grid may operate with the power grid in a load shifting orload flattening mode in order to better utilize the power received fromthe grid.

As a result of multiple factors, including the increasing popularity ofelectric vehicles and the availability of an advanced meteringinfrastructure, the costs of implemented distributed power systems aredecreasing and interests in distributed power systems is increasing. Asthese systems develop, there is an increasing interest in coordinatingsuch distributed energy systems for better utilization.

Therefore, there is a need to develop better distributed energy systems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present invention a distributed energysystem edge unit is presented. In accordance with some embodiments, anedge unit includes a power grid interface; one or more deviceinterfaces; a processing unit coupled to the power grid interface andthe one or more device interfaces, the processing unit including acommunication state that allows communications with an external entity;a control and monitor state that communicates with the communicationstate; a check unit state that communicates with the control and monitorstate and provides a unit state data; wherein the control and monitorstate and the communication state provide an instruction data set,current operating parameters according to the unit state data, theinstruction set data, and a characterization parameter data, and whereinthe control and monitor state provides control signals to the power gridinterface and the one or more device interfaces.

A method of operating a distributed energy system edge unit includesreceiving an instruction set; monitoring a state of the edge unit toprovide unit state data; providing current operating parametersaccording to the instruction set, the unit state data, andcharacterization parameter data; and providing control signals to apower grid interface that couples the edge unit to a power grid and oneor more device interfaces that couple the edge unit to one or moredevices.

These and other embodiments are further discussed below with respect tothe following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system with a Virtual Power Plant(VPP) controlling a plurality of distributed power units according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an edge unit as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates operation of an edge unit as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates further example details of operation of the edge unitillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describingsome embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced withoutsome or all of these specific details. The specific embodimentsdisclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. Oneskilled in the art may realize other elements that, although notspecifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of thisdisclosure.

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate inventiveaspects and embodiments should not be taken as limiting—the claimsdefine the protected invention. Various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims.In some instances, well-known structures and techniques have not beenshown or described in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Elements and their associated aspects that are described in detail withreference to one embodiment may, whenever practical, be included inother embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described.For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to oneembodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment,the element may nevertheless be claimed as included in the secondembodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example power system 100 according to someembodiments. Power system 100 is an example of a group of distributedenergy systems (DESs), shown as edge units 104-1 through 104-N, that areeach separately coupled to a power grid 102. As such, power system 100includes a plurality of edge units 104 (edge units 104-1 through 104-Nare illustrated in FIG. 1). Edge units 104-1 through 104-N may begeographically separated and may each be associated with differentresidences, businesses, or other establishments.

Each of edge units 104 represents a DES that is coupled to receive andsupply power to a power grid 102. In some embodiments, each of edgeunits 104 can be coupled to power grid 102 through a power meter 116(power meters 116-1 through 116-N are illustrated in FIG. 1). Powermeters 116 are supplied by a power company that controls grid 102 andmay, for example, be smart meters. In some embodiments, power meters 116may receive and send signals to an operator of power grid 102. In someembodiments, power meters 116 may provide signals to edge units 104 thatallow control of certain aspects of edge units 104 by a power companythrough power meters 116.

In general, power grid 102 can be any power distribution system thatreceives power from power sources and provides power to power users. Asshown in FIG. 1, power grid 102 receives power from power sources 120and supplies power to power users 122. There can be any number of powersources 120 coupled to power grid 102. Power sources 120 can be, forexample, commercial power plants including coil-fired plants,hydroelectric plants, geothermal plants, nuclear plants, gas-firedplants, solar production facilities, wind power facilities, individualgenerators or any other power production facility for the production ofpower. Furthermore, power system 100 may represent further powergeneration facilities 120 coupled to power grid 102. As illustrated inFIG. 1, power grid 102 is coupled to edge units 104, each of which mayprovide power to grid 102 or receive power from grid 102.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, edge units 104 can be networked by beingcoupled to a server 106 or other network device such as virtual powerplant 110, for example. Server 106 can provide monitor and controlfunctions to individual ones of edge units 104. Server 106 can representa VPP, a server, or a microgrid controller. Microgrid controllers aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. {Attorney Docket Number52416.28US04}, which is filed concurrently with the present applicationand is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, edge units 104-1 through 104-m are incommunication with server 106. Any form of communication, includingwired or wireless communications protocols, can be utilized betweenserver 106 and edge units 104-1 through 104-m. As is illustrated in FIG.1, server 106 may further communicate with a user 108 that may monitorand provide instructions to server 106. In some embodiments, server 106may be coupled to another server. In general, a server such as server106 can be coupled to any number of other servers and individual edgeunits 104.

In accordance with some embodiments, any number of edge units 104 orservers 106 may also be coupled to a virtual power plant (VPP) 110. VPP110 provides individual instructions to individual units 124 (units124-1 through 124-(N-m) are shown in FIG. 1. A unit 124 can be a singleone of edge units 104 or may be a group that includes multiple ones ofedge units 104. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, unit 124-1 is formedby server 106 and edge units 104-1 through 104-m while units 124-2through 124-(N-m) are individual edge units 104-(m+1) through 104-N.

As shown in FIG. 1, VPP 110 is in communication with server 106 and edgeunits 104-(m+1)-104-N. Unit 124-1 is formed by server 106 and edge units104-1 through 104-m while units 124-2 through 124-(N-m) are formed byedge units 104-(m+1) through 104-N, respectively. In general, a VPP unit124 can include any single one of edge units 104 or any collection ofedge units 104.

In general, VPP 110 receives power requests from user/requester 112 and,if that request can be satisfied by the resources represented by units124, VPP 110 instructs units 124 in order to satisfy the power request.User/requester 112 may be, for example, a power company and may includean interface between VPP 110 and computing systems for a power companythat controls power grid 102.

As is further illustrated in FIG. 1, VPP 110 may be in communicationwith another VPP 114. VPP 114 may provide requests to VPP 110 in orderto fulfill a request that VPP 114 has received. In some embodiments,when VPP 110 receives a request from VPP 114, VPP 110 may operatesimilarly to server 106. A requester represents any device or user thatprovides a request to a VPP such as VPP 110 to store power from orprovide power to a power grid 102. A VPP is further described in U.S.Patent Application {Attorney Docket No. 52416.28US02}, which isconcurrently filed with this application and is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an edge unit 104. As shown in FIG. 2,edge unit 104 includes a power distribution section 204 and a processingunit 202. Processing unit 202 controls and monitors components in powerdistribution section 204, as well as monitoring environmental propertiessuch as door latches, temperature controls, humidity controls, or othercomponents of edge unit 104. Power distribution section 204 includesinterfaces for multiple power handling units. As shown in FIG. 2, powerdistribution unit 204 includes a power grid interface 208 and one ormore of a power generation interface 210, power storage interface 212,and load power interface 214. Power distribution unit 204 can furtherinclude a power bus 232 that links each of the power grid interface 208,power generation interface 210, power storage interface 212, and loadpower interface 214 that are present in power distribution section 204.

Power grid interface 208 transfers power between power grid 102 andpower bus 232. When edge unit 104 supplies power to grid 102, power gridinterface 208 receives power from bus 232 at an internal power voltage,which is set for edge unit 104, converts the power to be compatible withgrid 102, and provides the power to grid 102. In some embodiments, powerbus 232 represents one or more individual power busses that each maycarry different DC or AC voltages. When edge unit 104 is receiving powerfrom power grid 102, power grid interface 208 converts power from grid102 to be compatible with an internal voltage of bus 232 that isappropriate for the device that is receiving the power.

Power generation interface 210 interfaces between power generator 216and power bus 232. Power generator 216 may be any source of power, forexample an internal-combustion generator (diesel, gas, natural gas,hydrogen, etc.), fuel cells, solar panels, wind power, hydroelectric, orany other power source. In some embodiments, edge unit 104 may includemultiple generators 216, in which case power generation interface 210will interface any number of individual generators included in generator216 to power bus 232. Each individual generator in generator 216 mayhave a dedicated and individual interface circuit in power generationinterface 210.

Power storage interface 212 interfaces between an energy storage device218 and bus 232. Storage device 218 can be any device, or combination ofdevices, capable of storing energy, for example batteries, mechanicalstorage devices (compressed air, pumped water, etc.), heat storagedevice, or other device designed to store energy for future retrieval.Power storage interface 212 then converts the stored energy in storagedevice 218 to supply power to bus 232. Power storage interface 212further receives power from bus 232 and stores energy in storage device218.

Load power interface 214 provides power from bus 232 to a load 206. Load206 may, for example, be a house, business, apartment complex,telecommunications tower, hospital, or any other power user. In someembodiments, individual components of load 206 can be activated ordeactivated by external signals. For example, in a house certainappliances (e.g., hot water heater, air conditioning, etc.) may beenabled or disabled to adjust the use power. Consequently, load 206 maybe adjustable. In some embodiments, meter 116 provides signals tocontrol appliances in load 206.

Interfaces 208, 210, 212, and 214 include power circuitry such as powerinverters, DC-DC converters, AC-DC converters, and other electronics forpower conversion between individual interfaces and between edge unit 104and power grid 102 or load 206. Interfaces may further include meteringsystems to accurately monitor power flow throughout unit 104. As shownin FIG. 2, meter 236 can provide accurate measure of power between grid102 and unit 104, specifically through power grid interface 208. Powermeter 238 provides an accurate measure of power through load powerinterface 214 and load 206. Similarly, power generation interface 210can include a meter 240 to monitor power flow from generator 216 andpower storage interface 212 can include a meter 242 to monitor powerflow between bus 232 and storage 218. Power meters 236, 238, 240, and242 can provide signals to processing unit 202.

The depiction of power distribution section 204 illustrated in FIG. 2 isprovided for discussion only. Other configurations may be provided inorder to facilitate the transmission and storage of power fromindividual power sources or energy storage devices to power grid 102and/or load 206. Power distribution section 204 may not include all ofthe components illustrated in FIG. 2. Edge unit 104 may, for example,include only storage 216 without the capability of generating power(i.e. generator 216 is absent). Edge unit 104 may, for example, not becoupled to a load 206. As such, power distribution section 204 can becharacterized in terms, for example, of the amount of energy storagecapability, the current level of storage available, the charge anddischarge characteristics of storage 218, the amount of power generationcapable, and the future ability to produce power (e.g., the amount offuel in a generator, the current production from solar panels or windgenerators, the projected production from solar panels, wind generators,and other conditionally dependent sources, or other factors that affectthe ability to produce power). Additionally, each edge unit 104 can becharacterized by a set of characterization parameters that describe thestorage capabilities and production capabilities of the edge unit 204.Consequently, each VPP unit 124 can be characterized by a set ofcharacterization parameters as well.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, power distribution section 204 can providesignals to and be controlled by processor unit 202. Processor unit 202includes a processor 228. Processor 228 may be coupled through a bus 234to memory and data storage 224 and user interface 270. Processor 228 canbe any processor, microprocessor or series of processors ormicroprocessors that are capable of executing instructions. Memory anddata storage 224 can be any collection of volatile or non-volatilememory, disk drives, read-only media, magnetic drives, or other mediafor storing data and instructions that can be executed by processor 228.User interface 270 may be any combination of display and user input, maybe a port into which a separate device is coupled (e.g., a USB port orother such port), or may be a combination of such so that a user at edgeunit 104 may provide local instructions or review the status of edgeunit 104. In some embodiments, user interface 220 may also be coupled toreceive signals from a smart meter such as meter 116. In someembodiments, a clock 222 may also be coupled to processor 228 throughdata bus 234 in order to provide accurate timing according to a standardso that all edge units 104 are operating on a uniform time. Clock 222may, for example, provide accurate times that can be used to activateprocesses for the production and storage of power within powerdistribution 204.

Processor 228 is further coupled to a communications interface 226 forcommunications with other networked devices, for example a server suchas server 106 or a VPP such as VPP 110. As such, communicationsinterface 226 may be configured to communicate over a wireless or wirednetwork and may use any communications protocol. In some embodiments,communications interface 226 may communicate with a server 106 or VPP110 over the internet, e.g. through the cloud, through a wired, orthrough a wireless protocol.

Processor 228 is further coupled to a load control interface 230. Loadcontrol interface 230 may provide signals to load 206 that affect thepower usage of load 206. For example, in some examples of edge unit 104,load 206 may have appliances that can be remotely activated ordeactivated by signals from processor 228 through load control interface230. The power usage of load 206 may then be controlled, or disabledcompletely, by processor 228. In some embodiments, processor 228 mayturn appliances on and off in load 206 in order to better control theuse of power within edge unit 104 and allow edge unit 104 to execute aset of instructions that it receives. Load shifting and load shapingmay, for example, be accomplished in edge unit 104 by judiciouslyenabling or disabling appliances such as, for example, hot waterheaters, car chargers, or other appliances in load 206.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, processor unit 202 is coupled to receive andprovide signals to power distribution section 204. Processor unit 202may control power distribution section 204 to route power to power grid102, to load 206, to provide or halt generation of power from any one ofthe generators in generator 216, to store energy or receive energy tostorage 218.

Edge unit 104 can be characterized with a set of characteristicparameters and current state parameters that are provided to othercomponents of the network, for example VPP 110. The set ofcharacteristic parameters can include, for example, total energystorage, generation capability, types of power generation, fuel levelsfor power generators, load characteristics, energy storagecharging/discharging characteristics, energy storage capacity,efficiency characteristics, parasitic loss characteristics,controllability characteristics of power distribution components,characteristics of load controllability, power dispatch characteristics,power charge characteristics, among other parameters. Current stateparameters can include current energy storage, current power generation,current load requirements, current power output to the grid, currentloses, and other parameters.

FIG. 3 depicts an example state function 300 illustrating operation ofprocessing unit 202 of an edge unit 104. The state diagram 303illustrated in FIG. 3 illustrates various states, which can in someexamples be operating simultaneously. Some or all states maycontinuously operate while edge unit 104 is in operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, state function 300 includes a control and monitorstate 302. In control and monitor state 302, processing unit 202 usesoperating parameters read from data 310 and sends signals to powerdistribution section 204 according to those operating parameters tocontrol individual devices (generators, storage units, outputinterfaces). Operating parameters can include, for example, powergeneration rate, storage rate, target storage level, load levels, gridpower coupling levels, or other parameters used to control operation ofthe components of power distribution section 204. Operating parametersmay be set by control and monitor 302 from instructions received fromcommunication 318, which are stored in instruction set data 320, and mayalso depend on the current unit state read from unit state data 306.

Control unit 302 can receive instructions from a server 106, VPP 110, orother sources. In some embodiments, control unit 302 can determine frommultiple sets of instructions a particular set to execute and mayexecute the chosen set of instructions.

The instruction set stored in data 320 can include a sequential set ofsteps that edge unit 104 is instructed to perform. As discussed furtherbelow, instruct set data 320 may include individual instruction sets fora number of programs that may operate in control and monitor 302. Theinstruction set stored in data 320 can include storage target level andstorage rate, generation requirements, load parameter settings, and gridcoupling settings. For example, the instruction set may includeinstructions to perform certain operations starting at certain times andhaving a duration of specific times, for example to discharge a certainpower level to power grid 102 starting at a specific time and ending ata specific time, or storing energy during a particular time frame, orgenerating power within a certain time period for storage or for supplyto the grid, among other operations. Control and monitor 302 determinesthe operating parameters stored in current operating parameters data 310consistently with instructions set stored in data 320 and thecharacterization parameters stored in characterization parameters 312.

As discussed above, characterization parameters stored incharacterization parameters data 312 can include total energy storagecharacteristics, total power generation statistics, load characteristics(including load control parameters), grid coupling characteristics,efficiency characteristics, and parasitic loss characteristics. Someexample parameter sets are illustrated in the following table I below.

TABLE I Characterization Parameters Operating parameters Current UnitState Total energy storage, Storage target Current energy energy storagerate level and storage storage, current characteristics, rate. energystorage energy storage leakage rate. characteristics. Total generationGeneration Current power capability requirement generation by bygeneration source by generation source generation source (e.g., diesel,solar, (e.g., diesel, (e.g., diesel, wind, other). solar, wind, other).solar, wind, other). Load Characteristics, Load parameters, Current Loaddrain. including characteristics of settable load load controllabilityadjustment parameters. Grid coupling Grid power settings Current gridpower characteristics (power available to grid, power receiptcapabilities) Efficiency Characteristics Parasitic Loss CharacteristicsEfficiency Characteristics can include, for example, DC-DC loss through,for example, a solar charge controller (SCC), DC-AC loss (e.g., inverterloss), AC-DC loss (e.g., inverter loss), or other efficiency losses dueto energy conversion that may occur in the system. Parasitic lossesrefer to losses that occur throughout the system.

As shown in FIG. 3, control and monitor 302 is coupled to read thecurrent unit state from unit state data 306 and send signals to powergeneration section 204 in order to meet the operating parameters storedin current operating parameters 310. In performing that task, controland monitor 302 may rely on the characteristics of edge unit 104 tomodel and predict the operation of power generation section 204 in orderto control particular components of power generation section 204.

In some embodiments, control and monitor 302 may transition to checkunit 308, which may itself continuously operate. Check unit 308 measuresthe current parameters of power distribution section 204 in order toupdate unit state data 306. In some embodiments, check unit state 308may continuously operate to periodically update the current state storedin unit state data 306. In some embodiments, check unit 308 may betriggered to update the data in unit state data 306 by control andmonitor state 302.

Control and monitor state 302 is further coupled to transition tocommunications state 318 to receive instructions or to report conditionsof edge unit 104. Communications state 318 includes communicationsthrough user interface 220 or through communications interface 226.Communications through user interface 220, which is co-located with edgeunit 104, allows a local operator or local device (such as meter 116,for example) to alter the operation of edge unit 104 by providinginstructions to processor section 202. Communications throughcommunications interface 226 allows edge unit 104 to receive operatinginstructions from a VPP such as VPP 110 or from a server such as server106.

Communications state 318 may provide instructions to control and monitor302 when instructions are received from an external entity. Theinstructions may include requests to report the current state stored inunit state 306, the current operating parameters stored in operatingparameters 310, or the characterization parameters stored incharacterization parameters data 312. Control and Monitor state 302,upon request, sends the data for reporting to communication state 318.Further, communication state 318 may provide instructions to control andmonitor state 302 to set new operating parameters in current operatingparameters data 310. In such cases, control and monitor state 302 canset the requested operating parameters in current operating parametersdata 310, provided they are consistent with the characterizationparameters in characterization parameters data 312.

Additionally, communication state 318 may receive a set of instructionsthat provide multiple sets of instructions that are executedsequentially at specified times. In which case, control and monitorstate 302 can reset the operating parameters of current operatingparameters data 310 based on the sets of instructions stored ininstruction set data 320 at the time specified by instruction set data320.

In the event that an error in operation is detected in control andmonitor state 302, then a transition to failure recover state 314 mayresult. Examples of errors that may occur include requiring operatingparameters that exceed the characterizations of characterizationparameters stored in data 312. Other examples include failure ofdevices, for example a power interface failure, power generationfailure, storage failure, or other hardware failure in powerdistribution section 204. In failure recovery state 314, processor unit202 determines whether a failure of a component of power distributionsection 204 has occurred. If a failure has occurred, processor unit 202may attempt to recover by resetting the individual component thatproduced the error. However, if no recovery of that component ispossible, the processor unit 202 may adjust the characterizationparameters stored in characterization parameters 312 to reflect thereduced capability of power distribution section 204 and return tocontrol and monitor state 302 to continue operation of reducedcapability of edge unit 104. Processor unit 202 may also adjustoperating parameters to conform with the reduced capabilities reflectedin the characterization parameters 312 and report the newcharacterization parameters out.

If the error is particularly severe, processor unit 202 may transitionto a shut-down state 316. In shut-down state 316, a report is generatedto communication state 318 to transmit a non-operational state to aserver or VPP coupled to edge unit 104. Further, most, if not all, ofcomponents in power distribution section 204 can be turned off.

Shut-down state 316 may transition to restart 304 when an instruction todo so is received through communication 318. In some embodiments, afield technician may restart edge unit 104 from user interface 220 afterrepairing or replacing the component or components of power distributionsection 204 that resulted in the error. In some cases, a request torestart, potentially with a reduced set of characterization parameters312 and new set of operating parameters 310, may be received from aserver or VPP through communications 318. In some embodiments, restart304 may provide control and monitor 302 with a set of operatingparameters for current operating parameters 310 which may be, forexample, an idle or standby set. Once a restart is complete, control andmonitor 302 may report characterization parameters stored incharacterization parameters 312, operating parameters stored in currentoperating parameters 310, and the current state stored in unit state 306through communications state 318.

In some embodiments, communication 318 may detect a lack of acommunications link, for example to a server or a VPP. In someembodiments, when the communications link fails, edge unit 104 cancontinue to execute according to the instructions in instruction setdata 320. In some embodiments, when the communication link fails, edgeunit 104 can revert to a set of standard operating parameters andcontinue to function under the standard set or may transition to failurerecovery 314, which may shut down edge unit 104 in shut down state 316.

FIG. 4 illustrates a more detailed example of aspects of control andmonitor 302 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, aconfiguration command executor 402 receives communications, for examplefrom communications state 318. Configuration command executor 402communicates with each of a plurality of programs 404-1 through 404-N.Programs 404-1 through 404-N include individual ranked programs that maybe executed on processing unit 202 to control power unit 204. Theplurality of programs 404-1 through 404-N may, for example, includeSequence Programs, Ruleset Programs, Override Programs, Alerts Programs,or other programs that control the operation of edge unit 102. Someexamples of the programs are provided as follows:

-   -   Rule Set Program—A Rule Set Program is a general purpose rules        engine based method of using environmental properties such as        system states, calendar information, utility signaling, grid        conditions, or other data to make decisions on parameter sets or        particular modes of operation.    -   Sequence Programs—A sequence program is a way of creating a        series of instructions to be executed sequentially in relation        to a start time and duration or stop times. Sequences may, for        example, be used to implement VPP instruction sets.    -   Override Program—An Override program designates a high priority,        needs to be done now program. This type of program can be used        in emergency situations where certain shutdown or other        defensive procedures are implemented. In some cases, override        programming can be used while testing of unit 104. In some        cases, an override program can be used to execute VPP        instructions. Further, individual supplier or utility operators        can provide overrides through the user interface 220 or through        communications with interface 226.    -   Timeline Program—A Timeline program allows scheduling of events        in absolute time coordinates and may also be an override        program.    -   PV Self-Consumption Programs—A PV Self-Consumption program        provides for keeping as much generated power from photo-voltaic        systems in the unit 104 while reducing grid demand as much as        possible.    -   Energy Arbitrage Programs—Energy Arbitrage Programs can add        extensions to PV self consumption programs to account for time        of use pricing, including both shoulder and peak periods.    -   Power Flow Limiting Programs: Power flow limiting programs        monitor available capacity, grid export limits, battery        temperature, battery voltage and modifies the activities of        other programs to insure battery safety, longevity, and grid        regulatory requirements.    -   Alert Programs: Alert Programs Monitor and configure threshold        alerting of all parameters in the system and generate alerts        when parameters are not within allowable limits.    -   Client Tag Timeline Programs: A Client Tag Timeline Program can        allow utilities to send a schedule of signals to the edge unit        104. The schedule of signals can turn flags on and off in edge        unit 104, which may activate clusters of rules for operation of        various devices within edge unit 104.

When used with a VPP 110, for example, VPP instruction sets are run withprograms such as those described above. VPP Programs generally run inthe cloud or internet on VPP 110 and not in edge unit 104. Instead, VPPprogramming utilizes local programs such as those described above toimplement the VPP program generated instruction sets. For example,override programs, sequence programs, and timeline programs can beutilized to run VPP instructions sets.

Each of the plurality of programs 404-1 through 404-N will beprioritized and have a ranking, which may change over time.Prioritization and ranking can be based on program type. For example,the ranking and prioritization may be ordered from highest to lowestpriority as programs related to safety, programs related to longevity,programs associated with utility demands, programs associated withconsumer interests, and default programming. For example, a sequencingprogram operating a VPP instruction set will generally have a highranking whereas a ruleset program, which may be set to operate as adefault set of program, may have a much lower priority. In cases whereoperation of edge unit 102 triggers faults or alerts, the priority of analerts program may, for example, be increased.

In each case, configuration command executor 402 provides aconfiguration 406-1 through 406-N for each of programs 404-1 through404-N, respectively. The configuration 406 includes a set of rules foreach program. Each program has a different type of configuration.Further, each program 404-1 through 404-N includes modes 408-1 through408-N, respectively. A mode refers to the actual actions to be taken bythe edge unit 104. A mode may be, for example, to keep the site meterreading at 0 watts, generate and output a certain amount of power,charge the storage system to a particular charge, etc. Operatingparameters may be generated to implement a particular mode.

In recognition that only one mode can be operating on edge unit 102 atany given time, a negotiator 410 determines which mode will control edgeunit 102 at a given time. Each of programs 404-1 through 404-N providesa vote as to which of modes 408-1 through 408-N should executed. Asdiscussed above, each of programs 404-1 through 404-N are prioritized sothat votes from certain ones of programs 404-1 through 404-N areweighted higher in the decision than others of programs 404-1 through404-N. Negotiator 410 determines which of modes 408-1 through 408-N isto be executed and passes that decision to mode enforcer 412.

Mode enforcer 412 operates power distribution section 204 according tothe winning one of modes 408-1 through 408-N. Mode enforcer 412generates operating parameters 310 according to the mode, thecharacterization parameter data 312, and the unit state data 306. Otherparameters, for example grid and utility generated rules, may also beused to generate operating parameters 312.

In particular, in communication with programs 404-1 through 404-N andbased on the appropriate operational parameters 310, mode enforcer 412provides individual instructions to interfaces 208, 210, 212, and 214through individual interface device drivers 414-1 through 414-m. Drivers414-1 through 414-m can include any number of drivers that interfacewith aspects of interfaces 208, 210, 212, and 214 in order to controlgenerators 216, storage devices 218, power to loads 206, or power togrid 102. As such, the drivers can include any interfaces, for examplecontrolled area network (CAN) drivers, Kokam battery drivers, maximumpower-point tracking (MPPT) drivers for photovoltage solar generation,MOdBuS, XAN, or other drivers that are used to interface processing unit202 to device interfaces 208, 210, 212, and 214 of power distributionunit 204

In operation, negotiator 410 periodically queries programs 404-1 through404-N to receive a mode vote from each of programs 404-1 through 404-N.For example, negotiator 410 may query each program on particular timeintervals, for example every five (5) seconds. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the time interval may be any time period. Upon eachquery, negotiator 410 picks amongst all of the voted on programs andselects a winning mode 408. When the winning mode 408 is picked,negotiator 410 informs mode enforcer 412. If the winning mode 408 isdifferent from the currently executing mode, then mode enforcer 412reconfigures and generates a new set of operating parameters 310 toexecute the new mode 408. Periodically, negotiator 410 may inform modeenforcer 412 of the currently executing mode. For example, negotiator410 may communicate with mode enforcer 412 every 200 ms (although anytime period can be used). Further, mode enforcer 412 turns the requestedmode into operating parameters 310, and then commands for interfacedrivers 414-1 through 414-m based on the operating parameters 310

The above detailed description is provided to illustrate specificembodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting.Numerous variations and modifications within the scope of the presentinvention are possible. The present invention is set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An edge unit, comprising: a power grid interface;one or more device interfaces; a processing unit coupled to the powergrid interface and the one or more device interfaces, the processingunit including a communication state that allows communications with anexternal entity; a control and monitor state that communicates with thecommunication state; a check unit state that communicates with thecontrol and monitor state and provides a unit state data; wherein thecontrol and monitor state and the communication state provide aninstruction data set, current operating parameters according to the unitstate data, the instruction set data, and a characterization parameterdata, and wherein the control and monitor state provides control signalsto the power grid interface and the one or more device interfaces. 2.The edge unit of claim 1, wherein the control and monitor state includesa configuration command executor; a plurality of programs, each of theplurality of programs receiving a configuration from the configurationcommand executor and each of the plurality of programs generating amode; a negotiator that receives a vote from each of the plurality ofprograms and chooses a winning mode to execute based on the vote; and amode enforcer receiving the winning mode from the negotiator, generatingthe current operating parameters based on the winning mode, providinginstructions to one or more interface drivers to execute the operatingparameters.
 3. The edge unit of claim 2, wherein each of the pluralityof programs has a priority and the negotiator considers the prioritywith the vote from each of the plurality of programs to choose thewinning mode.
 4. The edge unit of claim 3, wherein the priority is basedon the type of program, with the plurality of programs be prioritized inorder of safety, longevity, utility demands, consumer interests, anddefault programs.
 5. The edge unit of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofprograms includes one or more of rule set programs, sequence programs,override programs, timeline programs, PV self-consumption programs,energy arbitrage programs, power flow limiting programs, alert programs,and client tag timeline programs.
 6. The edge unit of claim 2, whereinthe interface drivers provide operating signals to the power gridinterface and the one or more device interfaces.
 7. The edge unit ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more device interfaces includes one or morestorage interfaces to one or more storage devices.
 8. The edge unit ofclaim 7, wherein the one or more storage devices includes a battery. 9.The edge unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more device interfacesincludes one or more generator interfaces to one or more energygeneration device.
 10. The edge unit of claim 9, wherein the one or moreenergy generation device can include one or more devices from a setconsisting of photo-voltaic solar generators, fuel cell generators,hydro-electric generators, and internal combustion generators.
 11. Amethod of operating a distributed energy system edge unit, comprising:receiving an instruction set; monitoring a state of the edge unit toprovide unit state data; providing current operating parametersaccording to the instruction set, the unit state data, andcharacterization parameter data; and providing control signals to apower grid interface that couples the edge unit to a power grid and oneor more device interfaces that couple the edge unit to one or moredevices.
 12. The method of claim 11, further including providing aconfiguration to each of a plurality of programs; each of the pluralityof programs generating a mode based on the configuration, theinstruction set, and the current state; negotiating a winning mode basedon a vote from each of the plurality of programs; enforcing the winningmode by generating operating parameters based on the mode and providingcontrol signals to the power grid interfaces and the one or more deviceinterfaces.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality ofprograms has a priority and negotiating the winning mode includesconsidering the priority of the program with the vote from each of theplurality of programs to choose the winning mode.
 14. The edge unit ofclaim 13, wherein the priority is based on the type of program, with theplurality of programs be prioritized in order of safety, longevity,utility demands, consumer interests, and default programs.
 15. The edgeunit of claim 12, wherein the plurality of programs includes one or moreof rule set programs, sequence programs, override programs, timelineprograms, PV self-consumption programs, energy arbitrage programs, powerflow limiting programs, alert programs, and client tag timelineprograms.
 16. The edge unit of claim 12, wherein control signals aregenerated by interface drivers that provide the operating signals to thepower grid interface and the one or more device interfaces.
 17. The edgeunit of claim 11, wherein the one or more device interfaces includes oneor more storage interfaces to one or more storage devices.
 18. The edgeunit of claim 17, wherein the one or more storage devices includes abattery.
 19. The edge unit of claim 11, wherein the one or more deviceinterfaces includes one or more generator interfaces to one or moreenergy generation device.
 20. The edge unit of claim 19, wherein the oneor more energy generation device can include one or more devices from aset consisting of photo-voltaic solar generators, fuel cell generators,hydro-electric generators, and internal combustion generators.